WGU D116 Pharmacology Review Study Guide
Newest 2026 Questions and Correct Detailed
Answers Already Graded A+
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treatment
with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports no change in
symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Increase the dose of carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for seizures.
After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse that she is
experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do? - CORRECT ANSWER-YES Ask the patient if she is
taking the valproic acid with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach
can cause gastrointestinal side effects
,Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with food or
using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid
is combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a
week, so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrostomy
tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-onset
seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? - CORRECT
ANSWER-YES Missed doses of baclofen
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdrawal of
oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seizures and
should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seizures are not
a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department after
receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lidocaine with
epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? - CORRECT ANSWER-
YES Nervousness and tachycardia
,Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, including
nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-adrenergic antagonists
can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modifiers of neuronal function
and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that patients may have difficulty
with movement. The sensation of pressure also is affected and is an expected
effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the sensation of pain will return.
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan.
Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Coronary artery disease
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for
depression for several months tells the provider that the medication has not
helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? - CORRECT ANSWER-
YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-HT) availability, thus greatly
increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOIs should be withdrawn at least 14
, days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI should never be given at the same time as
an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five weeks before starting an SSRI.
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations and
irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) places the
patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation. The APRN orders
dofetilide.
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken? - CORRECT
ANSWER-YES With food or an empty stomach
A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started after
having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours ago. He has
nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood pressure
leading to cardiovascular collapse.
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health clinic is
discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding and wishes to
Newest 2026 Questions and Correct Detailed
Answers Already Graded A+
A patient has been diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD) and begins treatment
with carbidopa. After several months of therapy, the patient reports no change in
symptoms.
As the provider, you should do which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Increase the dose of carbidopa
Discuss the "on-off" phenomenon
Reevaluate the diagnosis
NO Add a dopamine agonist
Incorrect. Adding a dopamine agonist is not indicated.
A patient who is taking oral contraceptives begins taking valproic acid for seizures.
After a week of therapy with valproic acid, the patient tells the nurse that she is
experiencing nausea.
What should the nurse do? - CORRECT ANSWER-YES Ask the patient if she is
taking the valproic acid with food because taking the drug on an empty stomach
can cause gastrointestinal side effects
,Correct! Gastrointestinal effects, including nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, are
common with valproic acid and can be minimized by taking the drug with food or
using an enteric-coated product. Hyperammonemia can occur when valproic acid
is combined with topiramate. Signs of pregnancy usually do not occur within a
week, so this is less likely. Hepatotoxicity is a rare adverse effect.
A patient with cerebral palsy who has been receiving baclofen via gastrostomy
tube for three months is admitted to the hospital for evaluation of new-onset
seizures.
What might you suspect to be the cause of these seizures? - CORRECT
ANSWER-YES Missed doses of baclofen
Correct! Baclofen does not appear to cause physical dependence, but abrupt
discontinuation has been associated with adverse reactions. Abrupt withdrawal of
oral baclofen can cause visual hallucinations, paranoid ideation, and seizures and
should be considered when a patient develops these symptoms. Seizures are not
a symptom of baclofen toxicity.
A nurse is preparing a patient to go home from the emergency department after
receiving sutures for a laceration on one hand. The provider used lidocaine with
epinephrine as a local anesthetic.
Which symptom in this patient causes the most concern? - CORRECT ANSWER-
YES Nervousness and tachycardia
,Correct! Absorption of the vasoconstrictor can cause systemic effects, including
nervousness and tachycardia. If severe, alpha- and beta-adrenergic antagonists
can be given. Local anesthetics are nonselective modifiers of neuronal function
and can block motor neurons, so it is expected that patients may have difficulty
with movement. The sensation of pressure also is affected and is an expected
effect. As the local anesthetic wears off, the sensation of pain will return.
A patient who has recurrent migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan.
Which aspect of this patient's history is of concern when taking this drug? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Coronary artery disease
Adverse events include coronary vasospasm.
Incorrect. There is no contraindication for asthma, diabetes, or renal disease.
A patient who has been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for
depression for several months tells the provider that the medication has not
helped with symptoms. You plan to switch the patient to an SSRI.
What should you instruct the nurse to teach this patient? - CORRECT ANSWER-
YES "Stop taking the MAOI two weeks before starting the SSRI."
Correct! MAOIs increase serotonin receptor (5-HT) availability, thus greatly
increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOIs should be withdrawn at least 14
, days before an SSRI is started. An SSRI should never be given at the same time as
an MAOI. It is not necessary to wait five weeks before starting an SSRI.
A patient presents to an emergency room complaining of palpitations and
irregular heartbeat. The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) places the
patient on a cardiac monitor and observes atrial fibrillation. The APRN orders
dofetilide.
How should the APRN recommend this medication be taken? - CORRECT
ANSWER-YES With food or an empty stomach
A 70-year-old male calls a clinic complaining of chest pain that started after
having sexual activity. He took sildenafil 50 mg about eight hours ago. He has
nitroglycerin 0.3 mg on hand.
How should the advanced practice registered nurse respond? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Do not take the nitroglycerin and call 911
Taking the medications together can cause a serious drop in blood pressure
leading to cardiovascular collapse.
A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is in a mental health clinic is
discussing the possibility of beginning lithium with an advanced practice
registered nurse (APRN). The patient expresses understanding and wishes to
